United States

Congratulations to President-Elect Joe Biden

Nov 07, 2020

After a tense nationwide wait since Election Day, HIAS congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.
Election Day stickers in Ohio

‘My Opinion Matters Now': Asylees and Refugees Celebrate Their First Votes in the U.S.

Nov 03, 2020

Voting for the first time is a momentous occasion for former asylum seekers like Ed Beetar and refugees like Mohamed Abdirahman, both of whom became citizens just this year.
San Ysidro port of entry

An Asylum Victory Four Years In The Making

Oct 19, 2020

For one Salvadoran family, Aug. 13, 2020, marked the end of a four-year-long escape from deadly violence at home to safety in the United States. That’s when an immigration judge in Baltimore granted asylum to Juana*, which will allow her and her family to remain permanently in the United States.

“She was crying and she was thankful and they were happy,” remembered Andres Meraz, the HIAS attorney who represented Juana. “They knew what it meant.”

Webinar: Anti-Semitism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in the COVID-19 Era

Sep 18, 2020

Learn about the historic experience of Jews as targets of anti-immigrant hatred, and how the current pandemic is impacting refugees and asylum seekers in particular.
After 17 Years, A New Country, A New Home

After 17 Years, A New Country, A New Home

A Jewish-Muslim-Christian refugee story: meet Jalal, Kamal, and the communities that welcomed them with open arms.

Signs of Hope for Buffalo's Deaf Refugees

Finding Hope In Buffalo

Our local partners at Jewish Family Service of Buffalo & Erie County partnered with Deaf Access Services to support a community of Deaf refugees. 

On the 40th Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980

On the 40th Anniversary of the Refugee Act of 1980

Forty years ago, in the highest expression of the American spirit, Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980, landmark legislation that established the U.S.

Camp-in-a-Box Gives Fun Back to Kids During Pandemic

Aug 11, 2020

JFS of Western Mass. gave refugee families "camp-in-a-box" so kids could still have fun this summer.

USCIS Is Out of Money. That's a 'Definitive Threat' to Refugee Admissions.

Jul 30, 2020

“Welcoming asylum seekers, welcoming refugees ... is really a collective responsibility that all Americans should share,” says León Rodriguez, a former head of the agency.

House Passage of NO BAN Act a Big Win For Fair Immigration Policy

Jul 22, 2020

The bill would permanently block the Trump administration's attempts to prevent Muslims, refugees, asylum seekers, and other groups from entering the United States.

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